My EVA Air Hello Kitty Plane Experience

I first heard of the EVA Air Hello Kitty Plane experience at the New York Times Travel Show this past January.  Taiwan tourism and EVA Air featured the model plane in their exhibition.  It was both cute and surreal at the same time.  I didn’t think much of it since I’m not a huge Hello Kitty fan but thought the concept was pretty cute and original.

Fast forward to my recent trip to Taiwan.  I missed my flight back to Okinawa and had to purchase a last minute ticket to Tokyo in order to make my connecting flight back to Washington on time.  The most convenient and cost effective route from Taipei to Tokyo was EVA Air 198.  The only thought on my mind when booking my ticket was to make it home on time. Later that evening, I logged in to check-in online and noticed I was going to be on the “Hello Kitty Plane”.  I thought that perhaps it was a marketing ploy. Not the case.

As I checked in at the EVA Air counter, I began to witness all the Hello Kitty mania!  It was everywhere, to include the print on my boarding pass.  As I walked to customs, I spot a whole Hello Kitty Plane display to include a dedicated self-check in counter area.  I must admit I am not a big fan of pink and girly themes, however, there’s something about the whole scene that automatically makes you smile.  With young and old alike taking pictures and looking genuinely happy, the environment is quite festive at Taipei International Airport.  Long lines and inefficient check in are a thought of the past when you see the white cat with the big pink bow!

Walking through the airport, I was sucked into the world of Hello Kitty to include a large store with everything Hello Kitty, a whole boarding area with pink chairs with the iconic pink bows, and walls lined with scenes of the cartoon.  It was absolute cute overload.  I think the positive atmosphere and seeing people just thrilled to be part of the experience automatically put me in a great mood to fly.

I arrive to my gate and there it is: the Boeing 777-300 Hello Kitty Plane.  The airline has been flying with this theme since 2011.  This collection is the second generation of the collaboration with Sanrio Japan (the creator of Hello Kitty).  The current EVA Air Hello Kitty Plane fleet consists of six different aircrafts that travel all over the world.  Each model has a different theme. The model I boarded was the “Hello Kitty Speed Puff”.  According to EVA Air, this theme draws inspiration from East Asian folklore of the “somersault clouds”.  For more about the other designs, click here.

When you board the plane, you are completely drawn into Hello Kitty mode.  Each individual in-flight entertainment screen is playing the cartoon.  The business class section has huge embroidered theme pillows and the economy class has smaller pillows with the print with the head rest liner to match.  I’m nonchalant, thinking to myself “oh, this is cute, my friends SpicyCandyDC and A Loyal Love would love this”.  Now comes the part when I become a convert…..

My turning point of “Oh, this Hello Kitty Plane concept is kinda cute” to “Wow, this is pretty amazing” was the meal service.  The flight attendants don a pink Hello Kitty Plane apron and serve my meal. Every little detail of the meal is in line with the theme 100%.  From the plastic silverware with Hello Kitty heads to the carrots in my noodles cut in a bow shape, it is everywhere!  Sometimes when food comes together with a theme it loses its quality as the focus is on the theme.  Not the case on this flight.  The noodles with shrimp accompanied by fresh fruit was the best meal I’ve had in economy class in a while!

The verdict:  If you do plan to come to Taiwan, look into the experience!  If you don’t have plans to come to Taiwan, you need to add it to your list!  The city is pretty amazing, I left with the desire to return and explore the rest of the country.  The flight boarded very fast, the seats on the Economy plus are extremely comfortable with plenty of legroom.  The food was delicious and the attendants were very sweet and patient, especially with everyone wanting to take photos.  The only point for improvement was the check-in counter.  Being a Premier Star Alliance member, I am allowed to do priority check-in however, I was rerouted to the economy check-in which was pretty slow.  However, the representative at the counter did go out of his way to link my United flight to my EVA Air flight although on different reservations which saved me time. Time I used to write this post.  Stay tuned to my Instagram account as I will be giving away a special item I purchased on the flight.  Have you flown the EVA Air Hello Kitty Plane? What did you think?